If there was anything good that came from banning embryonic stem cell research during the Bush administration, is that it forced scientists to find more creative alternative solutions for acquiring other sources of stem cells for therapeutic use. Certainly, the clinical or biomedical use of either embryonic stem cells generates a lot of controversy with ethical and moral dimensions. Although the Obama administration lifted an eight year federal ban that prohibits the use of federal money to fund embryonic stem cell research, novel techniques such as single blastomere transfer and the ability to reprogram adult somatic cells to an “embryonic-like” state may show similar or better therapeutic potential compared to embryonic stem cells. Thus, these techniques may preclude the use embryonic stem cells altogether in the near future. Continue Reading »

In vivo preclinical imaging of spinal cord injury (SCI) in rodent models provides clinically relevant information in translational research. This paper uses multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate neurovascular pathology and changes in blood spinalcord barrier (BSCB) permeability following SCI in a mouse model of SCI. Continue Reading »

The Mayfield Clinic and Spine Institute urges parents, camp counselors and coaches to remind young people that diving into shallow water can result in devastating and irreversible injuries to the spinal cord.

A life-changing injury can be sustained when the spinal cord, a bundle of nerves that runs down the back from the base of the brain to the waist, is damaged or severed by trauma. Continue Reading »

Over the years, outcome of injuries to the spine have changed. This has been achieved by better understanding of the factors that produce injury and improved care. But still it is a major challenge to cure associated neurological deficit. The science is working on it and hopeful to find a method but as of now we do not have a way to treat neurological loss in pure sense.

Most common injuries in a trauma victim are head injuries and skeletal injuries. Injury to the spinal column is relatively less common and has a prevalence of 6%. it could be at a single level or may involve multiple non contiguous vertebrae. Roughly 20% of spine injury patients have involvement of multiple levels. Continue Reading »

In a unique mixed media collaboration shown at the Bass Concert Hall, Jared Dunten and Marty Butler challenge the viewer to intimately experience their journey that began under the big skies of West Texas. A journey both crushing and liberating that still continues today. The two cheated death and began their fight against paralysis.

April 2000 Jared and Marty were on a backpacking trip in Big Bend National Park. After several days of hiking in the Chisos Mountains they sought refuge in the tiny border town of Boquillas Del Carmen. A snap decision by Jared to dive into the Rio Grande River left him paralyzed. Marty had saved Jared’s life.

April 2009 A collaborative show is created that spans the nine years since Jared was paralyzed. These works chronicle the event that changed their lives and reveal where they are today. Continue Reading »

The 4th edition of New Mobility magazine’s Spinal Network: The Total Wheelchair Resource Book, the definitive resource for anyone who uses a wheelchair is now available.

This 400-page guide provides information on health, adaptive sports and recreation, accessible travel, disability rights, relationships and sexuality, fertility and parenting, adaptive technology, spinal cord research and much more. Continue Reading »

The damage from primary and secondary insults of spinal cord injury can result in various hemodynamic alterations. It is important to understand the presentation and time course of these changes, in addition to the management of each, to avoid further clinical deterioration and complications.

Traumatic spinal cord injury has an incidence of 10,000 cases per year with a prevalence of approximately 200,000 people in the United States.1 These numbers do not account for deaths in the field, which are estimated to occur in 16% to 30% of these cases. The patient demographics mirror that of the general trauma population with the average age around 30 years and a male predominance. Although motor vehicle collisions account for roughly half of all spinal cord injury cases, other events including assaults, falls, work-place injuries, and sporting accidents account for a large portion of the rest.2
Pathophysiology Continue Reading »

If you experience chronic nerve pain a year or more following a SCI you may be eligibe to participate in a 5-month clinical study sponsored by Pfizer of an investigational medication. The goal of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the study medication in relieving chronic nerve pain associated with SCI. Participants may receive study-related physical and neurological examinations, electrocardiograms, and laboratory tests at no cost, plus compensation for their time. Transportation will be provided, or travel costs will be reimbursed. Most important, your participation may help others by contributing to research that may lead to improved treatments. Continue Reading »

The Sixth Annual National Neurosurgery Awareness Week (NNAW) kicks off this year on May 3 during the 77th Annual Meeting of the AANS in San Diego. Approximately 3,000 neurosurgical medical professionals will meet to further their continuing medical education in specialty areas including spine and peripheral nerves, as well as cerebrovascular, pain, pediatrics, stereotactic, trauma, tumor, and socioeconomic issues affecting the specialty. Continue Reading »

According to a study initiated by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, there are nearly 1 in 50 people living with paralysis — approximately 6 million people. That’s the same number of people as the combined populations of Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. And that number is nearly 40 percent higher than previous estimates showed.

It means that we all know someone — a brother, sister, friend, neighbor, or colleague — living with paralysis. These aren’t strangers. They are only one degree of separation from all of us. But their lives are different. They live with a condition that affects their family life, their ability to work, and their capacity to enjoy even the most routine everyday activities that others take for granted. The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation wants to change that. Continue Reading »